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Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Individual Therapy
Beacon Therapy Associates
11141 Zealand Ave
Champlin, MN 55316
Phone: (763) 250-1231
Individual therapy in support of DBT
I provide Individual therapy as a companion to your involvement in a Skills Training group. Most often, I will suggest DBT as a companion to your individual therapy. Or if you have a group, and need an individual therapist to work with you, that can be me.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a treatment designed for persons with self-defeating, such as impulsiveness, problems with managing emotions, tolerating stress, self-destructive behaviors or self-injurious behavior, suicidal thoughts and actions. Diagnoses may include personality disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, eating disorders, or alcohol and drug problems.
We believe self-destructive behaviors are learned coping techniques for unbearably intense and negative emotions. Negative emotions like shame, guilt, sadness, fear, and anger are a normal part of life. Some people are particularly inclined to have very intense and frequent negative emotions. Sometimes, the human brain is simply “hard-wired” to experience stronger emotions, either because of inherited traits or past traumatic events. Additionally, sometimes clients have mood or anxiety disorders that are not controlled by medications and thus lead to emotional suffering or vulnerability. A person who is emotionally vulnerable tends to have quick, intense, and difficult-to-control emotional reactions that make his or her life seem like a rollercoaster.
An invalidating environment is also a major contributing factor to emotional vulnerability. “Invalidating” refers to a failure to treat a person in a manner that conveys attention, respect, and understanding.
Clients in DBT receive two modes of treatment – individual therapy and skills group. In individual therapy, clients receive one hour individual sessions at least every 3 weeks, often weekly just to start. All clients who are in the program must also be in individual therapy at Beacon Therapy Associates. You will meet with a therapist for an intake assessment and to receive information about group rules and requirements.
The DBT Skills Training Group is open to adults. Clients also must commit to attending a one hour weekly skills group for at least seven months, the time it takes to complete the curriculum, and individual therapy. Skills groups or classes clients learn four sets of important skills – Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness.
If you are not currently involved in therapy at Beacon Therapy Associates, I can meet with you.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training is the psycho-educational component of a therapy designed for persons with self-destructive behaviors, such as self-defeating or self-injurious behavior, suicidal thoughts and actions. Diagnoses of those who may benefit for the program may include personality disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, eating disorders, or alcohol and drug problems.
I believe self-destructive behaviors are learned coping techniques for unbearably intense and negative emotions. Negative emotions like shame, guilt, sadness, fear, and anger are a normal part of life. Some people are particularly inclined to have very intense and frequent negative emotions. Sometimes, the human brain is simply “hard-wired” to experience stronger emotions, either because of inherited traits or past traumatic events. Additionally, sometimes clients have mood or anxiety disorders that are not controlled by medications and thus lead to emotional suffering and/or emotional vulnerability. A person who is emotionally vulnerable tends to have quick, intense, and difficult-to-control emotional reactions that make his or her life seem like a rollercoaster.
An invalidating environment is also a major contributing factor to emotional vulnerability. “Invalidating” refers to a failure to treat a person in a manner that conveys attention, respect, and understanding.
Skills are taught in a four module or education unit format:
Module 1: Core Mindfulness
Clients learn to better focus their attention, to be more aware (mindful) of what’s happening within themselves and in their environment, and to make better decisions that include increased use of reasoning rather than just reacting emotionally.
Module 2: Distress Tolerance
Clients learn to use coping skills to tolerate distress more effectively and to better cope with problems that they can’t change.
Module 3: Emotion Regulation
Clients learn skills to be more aware of emotions experienced and the purpose behind them, and to better manage their emotions so that they less frequently experience extreme “emotional highs and lows”.
Module 4: Interpersonal Effectiveness
Clients improve communication skills, learn skills to better balance their lifestyle, and to maintain and improve relationships.
Have Questions?
Text or call David Earl Johnson, MSW, LICSW
at (763) 250-1231
or dave@ePsyQ.com
Beacon Therapy Associates
11141 Zealand Ave
Champlin, MN 55316
Phone: (763) 250-1231